Best Non Prescription Dog Food for Urinary Health: Nourish & Protect Naturally!

Potty training is a necessary evil when you bring home a new puppy. You spend a few weeks getting up at all hours of the night and putting your puppy out a dozen times a day, but then you’re done.

At the end of it, your dog is fully house-trained, and you can trust him not to piddle on the carpet when you’re away from home. Or can you?

If your dog suddenly starts having accidents in the house or seems to be having trouble urinating, you should take him to the vet immediately.

Urinary tract health problems are no joke and they can be more than just painful for your dog – they can be downright dangerous.

In this article, we’ll explore urinary tract issues in dogs in greater depth. We’ll talk about what causes them, their symptoms, and how they can be treated. We’ll also discuss the role diet plays in the treatment of urinary tract issues and show you our top picks for the best non prescription dog food for urinary health. So, read on!

 

Best Non Prescription Dog Food for Urinary Health

If you’re concerned about your dog’s urinary health, you might be considering a veterinary or prescription diet. What many dog owners don’t realize is that these recipes are often made with hydrolyzed protein, by-products, and low-quality grains and fillers which can actually make your dog’s problems worse.

The specialized dog foods that are listed below are typically formulated with ingredients that promote urinary tract health, such as a balanced pH level and controlled mineral content to prevent the formation of urinary crystals or stones.

They may also contain added antioxidants and essential nutrients to support overall urinary health. It can help prevent common renal issues like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and inflammation, and promote optimal urinary function in dogs, leading to improved overall well-being and quality of life.

Not to mention the fact that these foods cost a small fortune to purchase. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best non-prescription dog food for urinary health.

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food Delivery

Our Top Choice: If you want to increase the moisture content of your dog’s diet but you’re not sure canned food is the way to go, try fresh food! Animal nutrition experts agree that fresh food is generally best for dogs, as long as it is made from high-quality natural ingredients.

That’s exactly what Ollie is – premium-quality fresh food made from wholesome natural ingredients. The bonus is that it is customized to suit your dog’s unique nutritional requirements and is shipped right to your door!

Provide some basic information about your dog then choose from four recipes and a customized delivery plan. Fresh food will be delivered right to your door with simple feeding instructions – all you have to do is open the box!

Ollie is all-natural and vet-formulated, so you can rest assured that it will meet your dog’s requirements for balanced nutrition and will support his urinary health as well.

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2. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

Sometimes it can be difficult to choose a dog food because there are so many options out there. When you just can’t make a choice, consider a trusted brand like Taste of the Wild.

This brand doesn’t have the largest selection (especially compared to big names like Blue Buffalo), but their recipes are complete and balanced and loaded with premium roasted meats and other whole-food ingredients.

This particular recipe features real fish including whitefish and salmon as well as turkey liver, a bonus source of protein and urinary health-supporting nutrients.

It is extremely high in moisture with an optimal balance of protein and healthy fats, not to mention fresh fruits and vegetables that add a boost of premium nutrition to complement the synthetic vitamins and chelated minerals.

Overall, this recipe is an excellent source of natural nutrition and is highly digestible thanks to the inclusion of prebiotic fibers. If this recipe doesn’t seem like the right fit, Taste of the Wild has several more to offer, including dry food recipes.

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3. The Honest Kitchen Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

If your dog has a sensitive stomach on top of urinary health issues, you need to be extra careful about what you feed him.

The best non-prescription dog food for urinary health and sensitive stomach might be something like this dehydrated recipe from The Honest Kitchen.

It is dehydrated rather than cooked at high temperature which preserves more of the nutritional integrity of the raw ingredients. Plus, you need to rehydrate it with water or broth before serving which makes it a moisture-rich diet for your dog.

This particular recipe features free-range chicken as the main ingredient with grain-free carbohydrates like flaxseed and sweet potatoes with dried fruits and veggies to provide a boost of premium-quality nutrition.

It is complete and balanced thanks to fortification with essential vitamins and chelated minerals, plus it provides the optimal balance of protein and healthy fats.

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4. PetPlate FreshBaked Beef 

Next, we have a premium, nutrient-rich meal crafted to provide your dog with the highest quality nutrition.

Developed by veterinary nutritionists, this carefully formulated recipe starts with real beef as the first ingredient, delivering a high-protein diet to support strong muscles and overall health.

The food is slow-baked and air-dried to preserve natural flavors and essential nutrients while maintaining a satisfying texture for your pup.

Packed with visible superfoods, fruits and vegetables, this wholesome meal is enriched with prebiotics and postbiotics to support healthy digestion and gut balance.

Unlike conventional pet foods, PetPlate’s FreshBaked line is made without feed-grade ingredients, fillers, byproducts or artificial preservatives, ensuring your furry friend gets only the best, human-grade nutrition in every bite.

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5. Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Real Turkey Recipe

Whether you’re looking for the best dog food for urinary incontinence or simply something with a higher moisture content, this Instinct LID canned food is a great option.

Coming from one of the top brands on the market, this recipe is packed with premium natural ingredients including cage-free turkey as a single source of animal protein. It also contains turkey liver, an ingredient known to contain several nutrients that support urinary health.

This formula is loaded with moisture and is complete and balanced with the help of added vitamins and chelated minerals. It is highly digestible, loaded with natural flavor, and proudly made in the USA.

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6. FirstMate Australian Lamb Meal LID Formula

Some dogs simply prefer dry food and if that sounds like your dog, you can at least choose a high-quality formula that will support his urinary health.

This lamb kibble is one of our top picks for the best urinary dog food non-prescription because it contains a limited number of wholesome, natural ingredients with no grains or other inflammatory additives.

It contains 78% animal ingredients with lamb meal as a single, novel source of premium animal protein.

This formula contains blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries to provide antioxidants and urinary health-boosting nutrients, plus they work in combination with the added vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Overall, this formula is highly digestible and provides the optimal balance of protein and healthy fats.

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7. Ultimate Pet Nutrition Nutra Complete Premium Pork 

Next we have a protein-packed formula designed to provide optimal nutrition while supporting your dog’s overall well-being, including urinary health.

Made with responsibly sourced pork as the first ingredient, this freeze-dried raw diet delivers the benefits of raw feeding in a convenient, shelf-stable format.

The gentle freeze-drying process locks in essential nutrients and natural flavors, ensuring your dog gets a delicious and nutrient-dense meal free from artificial preservatives, fillers or byproducts.

This premium formula is an excellent choice for urinary health due to its carefully selected ingredients, which promote kidney function, hydration, and a balanced mineral profile.

Pork is a high-quality, easily digestible protein that provides essential amino acids to maintain muscle strength while supporting kidney function.

Pork hearts are rich in taurine, an amino acid that plays a vital role in heart and urinary health, helping to maintain proper bladder function. Pork liver is packed with vitamins A, B12 and iron, which contribute to metabolic balance and overall organ health.

Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, which promote urinary tract health by reducing inflammation and protecting against bacterial infections.

Spinach provides essential vitamins A, C, and K, along with fiber to support digestion and hydration, further benefiting urinary health.

It is carefully crafted to deliver a well-rounded, biologically appropriate diet that nourishes your dog from the inside out.

With its focus on premium, raw nutrition, this kibble is an excellent choice for pet parents looking to support their dog’s urinary health while providing a delicious, high-quality meal.

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8. Evanger's Organics Turkey with Potato & Carrots Dinner

Another nutritious option in moisture-rich wet food for your dog is this tasty turkey recipe from Evanger's.  It features an organic recipe made with premium turkey and organic veggies.

Made with certified organic ingredients and free from artificial additives, fillers or grains, this premium wet food offers a balanced and nutrient-rich diet for dogs of all life stages.

With organic turkey as the first ingredient, along with organic potatoes, organic carrots and organic eggs, this delicious dinner delivers essential protein, vitamins, and minerals to support overall health, digestion and energy levels.

Each carefully selected ingredient provides unique benefits to your dog’s well-being. Organic turkey is a lean, high-quality protein source that supports muscle maintenance while being easy to digest, making it ideal for dogs with food sensitivities. It also provides essential amino acids to promote healthy skin, coat and immune function.

This is gently cooked to retain maximum nutrients and flavor, providing a highly digestible, flavorful meal that dogs love.

With its grain-free, all-natural formula, this canned food is an excellent option for pet parents looking to feed their dogs a clean, organic diet without artificial preservatives, byproducts or fillers.

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9. Health Extension Gently Cooked Duck & Kale Recipe

This is a fresh, home-cooked meal designed to provide superior nutrition with wholesome, natural ingredients.

This gently cooked recipe preserves the essential nutrients and natural flavors of real, high-quality ingredients, making it an excellent choice for pet parents who want to nourish their dogs with minimally processed, nutrient-dense food.

Made with premium duck as the first ingredient, along with a blend of superfoods like carrots, kale and goji berries, this wet dog food supports overall health while promoting strong immunity, digestion and urinary health.

Duck is a novel, lean protein source that is rich in essential amino acids, making it easy to digest and an excellent option for dogs with food sensitivities.

It also helps maintain strong muscles while reducing stress on the kidneys. Carrots are packed with beta-carotene and vitamin A, which support immune function and help maintain urinary tract health by reducing inflammation.

Kale, a nutrient powerhouse, is rich in fiber, antioxidants and calcium, which contribute to proper hydration and kidney function. It also contains compounds that support detoxification, helping to maintain a healthy overall system.

Goji berries are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants and essential minerals that promote urinary tract health by reducing oxidative stress and supporting immune defenses against infections.

It is free from artificial preservatives, fillers or byproducts. With its home-cooked style and carefully balanced nutrition, this recipe is a great option for supporting your dog’s overall health while providing a delicious and wholesome meal.

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10. Purina Beyond Organic Chicken & Carrot Recipe 

If your dog has a strong preference for wet food over kibble, this tasty recipe could be a good option.

This is a high-quality, USDA Certified Organic meal crafted to provide your dog with clean, wholesome nutrition.

Made with real organic, free-range chicken as the #1 ingredient, this premium wet food delivers a rich source of protein to support strong muscles and overall health.

Carefully formulated by pet nutritionists, it features organic vegetables like carrots for added vitamins, minerals, and fiber, ensuring a well-balanced diet for your furry friend.

This thoughtfully crafted recipe is made with GMO-free ingredients and contains no corn, wheat, soy or poultry by-product meal, making it an excellent choice for pet parents who prioritize natural, high-quality ingredients in their dog’s diet.

The inclusion of organic carrots provides essential antioxidants and beta-carotene to support immune health and promote good vision.

With no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors, this wet food offers a clean and nutritious option, ensuring your dog gets only the best with every bite.

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11. Zesty Paws Cranberry Bladder Bites Urinary Tract Support

Bonus Review: Making sudden changes to your dog’s diet can upset his stomach and might do more harm than good if he’s already suffering from health problems.

If your veterinarian doesn’t think your dog’s diet is a problem but he still has urinary issues, you might consider simply adding a urinary health support supplement to his daily routine.

These cranberry bites come in a delicious chicken flavor and are formulated to balance your dog’s urine pH while also supporting other aspects of his urinary health.

This supplement features Cran-Max with patented Bio-Shield technology to flush out bad bacteria and promote healthy bladder and urinary function. Simply follow the feeding instructions on the package to give your dog 1 to 3 chews a day. It’s that simple!

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The Basics About Urinary Tract Health in Dogs

Aside from the territorial aspect of it, peeing is a normal behavior for dogs. When you notice changes in your dog’s urinary habits, it should be cause for concern.

Here are some of the most common things that can affect urinary tract health for dogs: 

• Infection – Lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) are fairly common in dogs but, left untreated, they can lead to more serious kidney infections. UTIs are more common in females.
• Bladder or Kidney Stones – Certain minerals can crystallize in your dog’s urinary tract and aggregate into small stones. Very small stones can pass in the urine, but large stones may block the urinary tract and cause pain.
• Other Kidney/Bladder Issues – Other issues that can affect the kidney and bladder include bladder stones, urolithiasis, ureteral stones, urinary calculi, and urinary calculus disease.
• Incontinence – When dogs get older, they sometimes lose control over their urethral sphincter which is the muscle that holds urine in the bladder – this leads to incontinence.
• Kidney Failure – Ingestion of certain toxic substances like antifreeze can lead to kidney failure in dogs which may present with urinary symptoms.

Urinary habits vary greatly from one dog to another, so just because your dog only pees twice a day doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.

Your dog’s habits may change as he gets older as well – it is often a result of the muscles that hold urine in the bladder weakening with age. If you’re not sure whether your dog’s change in urinary habits are something to be worried about, it is always safest to consult your veterinarian.

Here are some other warning signs that your dog might have a urinary health issue: 

• More frequent urination
• Painful urination or difficulty urinating
• Changes in water consumption
• Excessive licking of genitals
• Blood in the urine
• Restlessness or listlessness
• Lack of energy or interest in play
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Incontinence
• Urinating in unusual places
• Lower back pain

All dogs have the potential to develop urinary health issues, but some breeds have a higher risk than others. Though male dogs are less prone to UTIs and crystals, their urethral anatomy makes these problems more dangerous when they happen.

The dogs most prone to urinary issues are female small-breed dogs between the ages of 4 and 8. Some breeds more prone to urinary tract health issues include Dalmatians, Bulldogs, German Shepherds, and Black Russian Terriers.

 

What Role Does Diet Play in Treatment?

Diagnosing urinary health issues is usually fairly easy for a vet as long as you provide detailed information about your dog’s progression of symptoms. There are several tests your vet can use to confirm the diagnosis, primarily a urinalysis.

Different urinary issues require different forms of treatment, however, so additional testing may be required. Infections, for example, may require antibiotics and, in some cases, surgery may even be necessary to remove large stones.

To better understand urinary stones, you should know that there are two common types:

• Struvite Crystals – These are made up of magnesium ammonium phosphate and develop in urine that is too alkaline.
• Calcium Oxalate – These develop in urine that is too acidic.

Struvite crystals used to be the most common type seen in pets which led to an increase in pet food manufacturers developing acidifying diets. Unfortunately, this movement is thought to have contributed to an increase in calcium oxalate crystals in pets due to overly acidic urine.

The best approach, then, is to choose a slightly acidic diet that helps your dog maintain urine pH just below neutral – this should prevent the formation of either type of crystal.

Whether your dog has a UTI, urinary stones, or another issue, your vet is the best person to ask about treatment. In addition to whatever treatment your vet recommends, there are certain changes you may want to make to his diet.

Increased water intake is extremely important, so you may want to consider switching to a fresh food or canned food diet. You can also add broth or water to your dog’s kibble and try feeding your dog in smaller amounts spaced out across the day.

On top of increasing the moisture level in your dog’s diet, you should also pay attention to the ingredients. For urinary tract infections not caused by stones, adding cranberries and other natural sources of vitamin C and antioxidants may help re-balance the pH of your dog’s urine.

If your dog has stones, however, you need to reduce the vitamin C content of the diet because it can contribute to the issue. Ask your veterinarian for advice if you’re unsure.

What to Look for in a Good Dog Food

Generally speaking, it is best to feed your dog a healthy, balanced diet made from high-quality, natural ingredients. Look for a recipe that contains a relatively low number of whole-food ingredients like real animal protein, whole grains or vegetables, and essential fatty acids.

Aside from this general advice, there are some specific things you should keep an eye out for when shopping for the best urinary care dog food to help resolve your dog’s UTI or other urinary health issues.

Here are some things to look for in the best urinary care dog food: 

• High-quality, whole-food ingredients. The best natural dog food for bladder stones, UTIs, and other urinary tract issues is one made with high-quality, whole-food ingredients. Avoid anything made with artificial additives, by-products, or fillers.
• Rich in premium animal protein. Protein should be the foundation of any dog’s diet and should come from premium animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish.
• Blend of omega fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat health but can also provide anti-inflammatory benefits and act as a concentrated source of energy.
• Low in inflammatory ingredients. Certain ingredients like refined carbohydrates and high-starch ingredients can made inflammation worse and contribute to urinary tract issues in dogs.
• High in moisture and easy to digest. Increasing the moisture content of your dog’s diet is essential for urinary tract health and can also boost digestion. Other ingredients like fiber and probiotics can support healthy digestion as well.

Now that you have a better understanding of urinary tract health issues in dogs and how to treat them, you’re ready to start shopping for a new dog food. Keep reading to see our top 10 picks for the best non-prescription dog food for urinary health.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can dog food cause urinary tract infections? – There is no strict yes or no answer to this question because numerous factors impact your dog’s urinary tract health. Bacterial infection is the most common cause of urinary tract infections in dogs, but it can be related to diet. Excess levels of certain minerals like magnesium and phosphate in your dog’s diet can change the pH of his urine, leading to another common urinary health issue – bladder or urinary stones. It is also possible that if your dog’s diet doesn’t provide for his nutritional needs, his immune system could become weakened, making him more prone to infection-causing bacteria.
• What can I feed my dog with urinary crystals? – Urinary crystals are fairly common in pets and can be impacted by things like the temperature, acidity, and concentration of certain compounds in your dog’s urine. It is important to understand the difference between urinary crystals and urinary stones. Certain types of urinary crystals can lead to stone formation, but there are numerous causes to consider. If you notice crystals in your dog’s urine, talk to your vet to determine whether they are likely to cause a problem. If so, you may need to make changes to your dog’s diet. Encouraging your dog to drink more water is extremely important, though it may also help to switch your dog to a diet lower in protein, magnesium, and phosphorus to address the pH imbalance causing the crystals to form.
• What type of food causes bladder stones in dogs? – Bladder stones in dogs are formed from a collection of various minerals and other compounds. The most common bladder stones in dogs are formed from struvite, calcium oxalate, cystine, or urate crystals – the first two being more common than the last two. Bladder stones are often the result of a urinary tract infection which may be treated with antibiotics. Diet can contribute to the accumulation of crystals in your dog’s urine and should be a factor when it comes to preventing the stones from returning. You might need to increase your dog’s water intake and decrease his intake of foods that contribute to urinary crystals like meat, organs, fish, and seafood.
• Why does my dog keep getting urinary tract infections? – The most common cause of urinary tract infections in dogs is bacteria. The bacteria enters upwards through the dog’s urethral opening and is most likely to affect older dogs age 7 and up. E. coli is the most common bacteria known to cause UTIs, though other less common causes may include bladder or kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, or prostate disease. A urinalysis is usually enough to make an accurate diagnosis and oral antibiotics are the most common treatment for UTIs.
• How do you prevent UTI in dogs? – You can’t 100% prevent urinary tract infections but increasing the amount of water your dog drinks can reduce his risk. It’s also a good idea to put your dog outside more often because holding in urine for too long can lead to crystal formation and may contribute to bladder stones or other urinary health issues. Probiotic supplements may also help support healthy bacteria in your dog’s body to prevent an imbalance of bad versus good bacteria that leads to an infection.

After reading this article, you should have a more thorough understanding of your dog’s urinary tract health and all the things that can affect it – including his diet.

If you haven’t done so already, talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s issues and see what kind of treatment plan might be needed.

From there, you can consider making changing to your dog’s diet to further support his urinary health. If you’re not sure where to start, consider one of the tasty recipes we’ve reviewed above!